Tool fob testing well formations



Jan. 27, 1931. c, JOHNSTQN 1,790,424

' TOOL FOR 'TESTING WELL FORMATIONS 7 Filed Sept. 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l .f I F Zinnentor 36%902 WJOZJwZ'On/ 213%; Me -M (Ittornegs.

25, 1929 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 E. C. JOHNSTON TOOL FOR TESTING WELL FORMATIONS Filed Sept.

Jan. 27, 1931.

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Patented Jan. 27, 1931 EDGAR C, JOHNSTON, OF EL DORADO, ARKANSAS TOOL FOR TESTING WELL FOBMATIONS Application filed September 25, 1929. Serial no. 395,150.

My present invention relates to improvements in well testing tools, and it is especially intended to provide a well testing tool which may be used in connection with the o drill pipe, the bit being removed, without the necessity of a double line of piping. The invention is intended to provide a compact and efficient testing tool which may be conveniently attached to or removed from the lower end of the drill pipe, and which may be conveniently used to test the various formations which may be encountered as the operation of boring the well progresses.

My invention is especially intended to pro videcertain improvements on the. construction shown in my Patent No. 1,7 09,940,

granted April 23, 1929, and entitled Well ormation testing device.

' My invention will be more fully understood after reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are indicated by similar reference symbols throughout the several views, and in which,

Figure 1 shows a section through a well before the well casing has-been inserted, and with the rat hole bored at the'lower end thereof, with the testing tool shown therein in elevation and partly in section, and with the main valve in the open position,

Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1, but shows the apparatus in central vertical section with the main valve in closed position,

Figure 3 shows a section through the apparatus along the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and looking down, 7 I

Figure 4 shows a section along the line 4--4 of Figure 2, and looking down, and

' Figure 5 shows a section along the line 5-5 of Figure 2, and looking down.

A represents the walls of the well bore A", and A represents the rat hole, and a represents the bottom of the well bore, which constitutes a circular shelf surrounding the top of the rat hole A. B represents the drill pipe which is threaded at its lower end 6 to engage the housing C, which is perforated, as at c, and is provided with internal screw threads 0 to engage the tube D, which tube forms the upper portion of the valve stem D carrying the main valve E, The tube D the bottom so as' to enter partly into the rat and the valve stem D are screwed together, as at d, and the valve stem is vertically perforated, as at d, and is provided with lateral perforations d for reasons that will be hereinafter described.

The lower end of the valve stem D is shouldered, as at (1 and is screw threaded above said shoulder, so that the valve E may be screwed on and held in place on the stem. The lower end of the valve stem is screw threaded, as at (1 to engage the cage F for the emergency valve G. This emergency valve is pressed on a seat d at the end of the valve stem by the coil spring H, whose tension may be adjusted by the adjusting screw I and washer I. The sides of this cage are open, as at f, see Figure 5, so as to permit the flow of liquidthrough the cage, as will be hereinaftermore fully described. Sli'dably mounted on the tube D and the valve stem D is an outer casing comprising the collar J, which is connected to the union K, which in turn is connected to the tube L. To the lower'end of this tube L, a tubular piece M is screwed, provided with the valve seat m. The-parts L and M may be made integral, if desired, but for convenience in manufacture, it is preferable to have them separately connected together. The union K is externally threaded near its lower end to engage the collar N, which bears upon the upper end of the packer O. This packer is preferably made of a series of rings of rubber or leather or both, and is tapered toward hole, as shown. Below the packer O, the tube L is externally screw threaded to engage the ringP to which the tubular valve casing Q, is attached. This valve casing is in the form of a hollow shell with an ogival head, and encloses both themain valve E andthe emergency valve G. This valve casing is perforated, as at q, to permit the passage of liquid, or partly liquid. material, through the same and into the interior of the valve casing.

Above the collar J the coil spring R is mounted under compression, so as to hold the valve normally closed. Suitable packing S, see Figure 2, is provided between the tube D and the union. K slidably mounted thereon.

The operation of the well testing tool is as follows:

Suppose the well to be bored in the usual way until a. promising formation is reached, then draw up the drill pipe and remove the large bit, and put on a smaller bit and bore the rat hole to the desired depth.

The shoulder (0 of the rat hole will preferably be in a rock formation, so as to form a suitable seat for the packer, as will be hereinafter described.

After the rat hole has been bored, pull up the drill pipe and replace the bit with the. testing tool, which may be done by simply screwing the housing C on to the lower end of the drill pipe, and then lower the drill pipe carrying the tool into the well. Ordinarily, no obstruction is had until the packer 0 brings up against the shelf a at the upper end of the rat hole. This will arrest the casing surrounding the valve stem, and the valve stem will continue for a brief instant, compressing the spring R and opening the valve, which will then assume the position shown in Figure 1. The main valve will be closed while the tube is being lowered into the well, as indicated in Figure 2. After the main valve is opened, some of the liquid in the formation reached by the valve casing will flow in through the perforations Q, and passing around the valve will enter the valve stem D, through the perforations d, and will flow up through the passage 03 into the drill pipe.

It will be noted that the liquid flowing into these perforations (Z will be well clear of both the valve and its seat, and will not tend to clog up the annular space between the valve and its seatwhen the main valve is open.

After the valve casing has been submerged in the liquid in the rat hole long enough to secure specimens, by lifting up on the drill pipe, until the packer is removed from its seat, the main spring D will automatically close the main valve and will also close the perforations (Z, and any liquid contained in the valve stem at the lower end of the drill pipe may be drawn up to the surface, and examined in the usual way.

Thus, it will be seen that the main valve automatically opens when the packer reaches the top of the rat hole, and is automatically closed when the packer is released from its engagement with its seat.

The foregoing operation assumes that the tool may be lowered through the open well, which ordinarily would not be provided with the well casing, until it reaches the rat hole,.

but should the tool encounter any obstacle as from the tumbling in of the side walls of the well before it reaches the rat hole, the drill tube and tool must be removed from the well and the obstruction removed. The removal of the tool will be materially faeilitated by the insertion of liquid under pressure below the obstruction and this may be accomplished from the sur ace of the ground by pumping liquid under pressure into the drill pipe, which will pass the apertures d,

which will then be in a closed position, as v shown in Figure 2, and this liquid will force the emergency valve (i open against the spring H, and permit this. liquid to flow out through the openings 7' in the cage 1 and thence through the openings q of the valve casing Q into the well below the obstruction. Thus by applying sufficient liquid pressure from beneath, the effort to lift the drill pipe carrying the tool up through the well will be greatly reduced; moreover, the liquid so introduced tends to lubricate the side walls of the well after the tool has been released from the obstruction, and this tool will facilitate the lifting of the drill pipe, especially where the side walls of the well have crumbled in.

It will be seen that any pressure from beneath in the well will tend to normally close the emergency valve and will also tend to force the main vave on its seat, whereas in the patented construction referred to, the pressure from beneath will tend to open the main valve.

It will be seen that the main valve and the emergency valve are close together, and are protected by the valve casing, which serves to screen off solid particles and permit the liquid or semi-liquid to enter from the well. Moreover, the parts may be readily assembled or disassembled for convenience of inspection or repair.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the 'tool comprises 1) a hollow valve stem with means for attaching same to the drill pipe, said valve stem carrying the main valve and the emergency valve, (2) a casing slidably mountedon the valve stem carrying the packer, the valve seat, and the hollow casing for the two valves, and (3) a main spring mounted on the upper end of the hollow valve stem, tending to automatically hold the main valve on its seat.

While I have shown one embodiment of the invention in its preferred form, it will be obvious that various changes might be made in the construction, combination and arrangement of the parts, Which could be used without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do not mean to limit the invention to such details except as particularl pointed out in the claims.

aving thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A testing tool for use incident to the drilling of oil wells, comprising a hollow valve stem, provided with lateral perforations, with means for securing said valve stem to the drill pipe, a main valve carried by said stem, a main frame slidably mounted on said valve stem, a sleeve provided with a valve seat secured to said frame, said sleeve adapted to close said perforationsvwhen the main valve is on its seat, a perforated hollow valvc casing, attached to the lower end of said main frame and enclosing said main valve, :1 packer carried by said-main frame, and a coilspring surrounding said valve stem and tending to press said frame and said valve stem in reverse directions, whereby said main valve is normally kept closed.

:2. A testing tool for use incident to the drilling of oil wells, comprising a hollow valve stem, provided with lateral perforations, with means for securing said valve stem to the drill pipe, a main valve carried by said stem, a main frame slidably mounted on said valve stem, a sleeve provided with a valve seat secured to said frame,'said sleeve adapted to close said perforations when the main valve is on its seat, a perforated hollow valve casing having an ogival point attached to the lower end of said main frame and enclosing said main valve, a packer carried by said main frame above said valve casing, and

a coil springsurrounding said valve stem and closing the lower end of said valve stem, 2.

main frame slidably mounted onsaid valve stem, a sleeve provided with a valve seat secured to said frame, said sleeve adapted to close said perforations when the main valve is on its seat, a perforated hollow valve casing, attached to the lower end of said main frame and enclosing said main valve, and said cage, a packer carried by said main frame, and a coil spring surrounding said valve stem and tending to press said frame'and said valve stem in reverse directions, whereby said main valve is normally kept closed.

4. A testing tool for use incident to the drilling of oil wells, comprising a hollow valve stem, provided with lateral erforations, with means for securing said valve stem to the drill pipe, a main valve carried by said stem, a cage carried by the lower end of said stem, a spring-impressed auxiliary valve mounted in said cage, and normally closin the lower end of said valvestem, a main rame slidably mounted on'said valve stem, a sleeve provided with a valve seat secured to said frame, said sleeve adapted to close said perforations when the main valve is on its seat, a perforated hollow valve casing having a tapered point attached to the lower end of said main frame and enclosingsaid main valve and said cage,'a packer carried by said mam frame above said valve casing, and

a coil spring surroundin said valve stem and tending to press sai frame and said valve stem in reverse directions, whereby said main valve is normally kept closed. a

5. A testing tool for use incident to the drilling of 011 wells, comprising a hollow valve stem, provided with lateral perforations, with means for securing said valve stem to the drill pipe, 9. main valve carried by said stem, a main frame slidably mounted on said valve stem, a valve seat secured to said frame,

a perforated hollow valve casing attached to the lower end of said main frame and enclosing said main valve, a packer carried by said main frame, and a coil s ring surrounding said valve stem and ten ing to press said frame and said valve stem in reverse directions, whereby said main valve is normally kept closed.

6. A testing drilling of Oil wells, comprising a hollow valve stem, provided with lateral perforations, with means for securing said valve stem to the drill pipe, 3. main valve carried by said stem, 3, main ing said valve stem and, tending topress said 7 frame and said valve stem in reverse directions, whereby said main valve is normally ke t closed.

i. A testing tool for use incident to the drilling of oil wells, comprising a hollow valve stem, provided with lateral perforations, with means for securing said valve stem to the drill pipe, a main valve carried by said stem, a cage carried by the lower end of said stem, a spring-impressed auxiliary valve mounted in said cage, and normally closing the lower end of said valve stem, a main frame slidably mounted on said valve stem, a perforated hollow valve casing attached to the lower end of said main frame and enclosing said main valve, and said cage, a packer carried by said main frame, and a coil spring surroundin saidvalve stem and tending to press said frame and said valve stem in reverse directions, whereby said main valve is normally kept closed.

8. A testing tool for use incident to the drilling of oil wells, comprising a hollow valve stem, provided with lateral perforations, with means for securing said valve stem to the drill pipe, a main valve carried by said stem, a cage carried by the lower end rame slidably mounted on said 7 valve stem, a valve seat secured to said frame,

tool for use incident to the of said stem, a spring-impressed auxiliary valve mounted in said cage, and normally steIn, a valve seat secured to said frame, a perforated hollow valve casing having a tapered point attached to the lower end of said main fame and enclosing said main valve and said rage, a packer carried by said main frame above said valve casing, and a coil spring surrounding said valve stem and tending to press said frame and said valve stem in reverse directions, whereby said main valve is normally kept closed.

9. A testing tool for use incident to the drilling of oil wells, comprising a hollow valve stem, provided with lateral perforations, with means for securing said valve stem to the drill pipe, a main valve carried by said stem, a cage carried by the lower end of said stem, a ball valve mounted in said cage, a coil spring also mounted in said cage, and normally holding said ball against the lower end of said valve stem, a main frame slidably mounted on said valve stem, a valve seat secured to said frame, a perforated hollow Valve casing attached to the lower end of said main frame and enclosing said main valve, and said cage, a packer carried by said main frame, and a coil spring surrounding said valve stem and tending to press said frame and said valve stem in reverse directions, whereby said main valve is normally kept closed.

10. A testing tool for use incident to the drilling of oil wells, comprising a hollow valve stem, provided with lateral perforations, with means for securing said valve stem to the drill pipe, a main valve carried by said stem, a cage carried by the lower end of said stem, a ball valve mounted in said cage, a coil sprinaalso mounted in said cage, and normally holding said ball against the lower end of said valve stem, means for adjusting the compression of said coil spring, a main frame slidably mounted on said valve stem, a valve seat secured to said frame, a perforated hollow valve easing attached to the lower end of said main frame and enclosing said main valve, and said cage, a packer carried by said main frame, and a coil spring surrounding said valve stem and tending to press said frame and said valve stem in reverse directions, whereby said main valve is normally kept closed.

11. A testing tool for use incident to the drilling of oil wells, comprising a hollow valve stem, provided with lateral perforations, with means for securing said valve stem to the drill pipe a main valve carried by said stem, a cage carried by the lower end of said stem, an auxiliary valve and a valve spring under compression also mounted in said cage, said auxiliary valve normally closing the lower end of said valve stem, means for adjusting the compression of said spring, a main frame slidably mounted on said valve stem, a sleeve provided with a valve seat secured to said frame, said sleeve adapted to close said perforations when the main valve is on its seat, a perforated hollow valve casing attached to the lower end of said main frame and enclosing said main valve and said cage, a packer carried by said main frame above said valve casing, and a coil spring, surrounding said valve stem and tending to press said frame and said valve stem in reverse directions, whereby said main valve is normally kept closed.

EDGAR CLINTON JOHNSTON. 

